i was thinking this mornng that because of the proliferation of pre-lit artificial christmas trees, couples are missing out on the time-honored test of their vows -- namely the yearly agony and subsequent fighting over the placement of lights on the tree (those of you who don't put up a christmas tree may compare this with hanging wallpaper together). but then i realized that since we turned to the dark side -- bought a fake tree after all the years (over 30) of putting up a live (dying) tree -- that this "fun" has been replaced with the "straightening and placement of the "branches."
when one door closes, another door opens.
photo later.
Posted by Stacey at December 2, 2006 12:03 PMDon't I know it! All the years we did foster care, we had gorgeous live, but dying trees. 2 years ago we purchased a 9 ft. artificial tree with artificial pine cones in every branch. The branches, already connected to the tree, open when the three poles are connected and set. My tree has been standing bare of decorations for a week now, as I work with the branches. No, this part is not much fun. The lights won't be much fun for me either because I spend way too much time on them. The fun for me will be when I am adding the ornaments and thinking of the memories of Christmases past.
Posted by: Trace at December 2, 2006 11:13 PMAh yes, last year we bought our first live tree-just getting it to stand straight ALMOST sent us to divorce court!
Posted by: Heather(aka Iris) at December 3, 2006 01:23 AMohmygod, heather (aka iris), i totally forgot that part! we'd pay a premium for a taller tree and wind up with one shorter by at least a foot by the time bill was done trimming and prepping. now i can laugh.
Posted by: stacey at December 3, 2006 10:15 AMAt least you won't have to test your vows on the outside lights (even worse in the rain and wind), or have you got a balcony?
Posted by: Anji at December 4, 2006 02:19 AMTonight we visit The K-Mart and The Target for a look at those pre-lit babies--our first ever fake. Last year WAS the last year--especially after the big Spiegel box from my 20s with the "good" decorations sat on the LR sofa until at least July...you know, one of those deals: I'll take it all down by myself if you'll just put the stuff up.
Posted by: Vicki at December 4, 2006 11:05 AMoh. my. god. a balcony. nope. no balcony.
Posted by: stacey at December 4, 2006 04:19 PMOne of those bonuses about being divorced.......that and not having to buy the in-laws presents.
Small pleasures. ;-)
Posted by: lucy at December 5, 2006 02:35 PMMwahahaha... I gave away the pre-lit last year when we sold the house. It was too heavy and too big for me to take to my new place. And this year bought a 2-foot charlie brown christmas tree. Which my daughter says isn't enough to decorate.
So I had to go out and buy ANOTHER artificial tree. heh. This time? Not prelit. But, I brought the ex to the house to assist in the branch bending and adjusting and lighting. Believe it or not.
Looking forward to that photo. And glad to know all are still around. no electrified billys. ;)
Happy Holidays, Stace.
Posted by: Keri at December 5, 2006 07:30 PMFor some reason this post reminded me of my grandparents. One time I asked them if they ever fight. (They were married 60 yrs at this point). My grandma laughed and said "oh yes, of course we fight! But nowadays, after a minute or two, we just look at each other and start laughing".
One bonus of having a 12yr old daughter is that she volunteers to do all the Christmas decorating, lights, ornaments, garlands, etc. I just kick back and watch!